"Of course she'll go," declared Cyril, promptly, answering for her.
"It is time I was off anyhow." To Billy, he said in a low voice: "You
haven't been very encouraging, little girl--in fact, you've been mighty
discouraging. But some day--some other day, I'll try to make clear to
you--many things."
Billy greeted Bertram very cordially. It was such a relief--his cheery,
genial companionship! The air, too, was bracing, and all the world
lay under a snow-white blanket of sparkling purity. Everything was so
beautiful, so restful!
It was not surprising, perhaps, that the very frankness of Billy's joy
misled Bertram a little. His blood tingled at her nearness, and his eyes
grew deep and tender as he looked down at her happy face. But of all the
eager words that were so near his lips, not one reached the girl's ears
until the good-byes were said; then wistfully Bertram hazarded:
"Billy, don't you think, sometimes, that I'm gaining--just a little on
that rival of mine--that music?"
Billy's face clouded. She shook her head gently.
"Bertram, please don't--when we've had such a beautiful hour together,"
she begged. "It troubles me. If you do, I can't go--again."
"But you shall go again," cried Bertram, bravely smiling straight into
her eyes. "And there sha'n't ever anything in the world trouble you,
either--that I can help!"
CHAPTER XXXIII
WILLIAM IS WORRIED
Billy's sleigh-ride had been due to the kindness of a belated winter
storm that had surprised every one the last of March.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181